Dunga warns against complacency

15 June 2010 09:58

Brazil coach Dunga is warning his players against complacency when they take on rank outsiders North Korea at Ellis Park.

The five-time world champions, ranked number one in the world, face a side ranked 85th in what should be a one-sided contest.

With matches against the Ivory Coast and Portugal to follow for the South Americans a victory against the Asian side is essential but Dunga warned: "We have to congratulate the Asian teams, they have evolved tremendously over the years. They are no longer the weaker team."

He added: "Sometimes we believe that a certain team is the best, but football does not lie. We have to respect our opponent and do everything in our grasp to win."

North Korea coach Kim Jong-hun has drawn on the inspiration of the 1966 North Korea side, who reached the quarter-finals in England before losing 5-3 to Portugal at Goodison Park.

"Some of the 1966 team came to the training camps and gave us advice and encouragement and told us what it would be like (at the World Cup)," the coach said.

"They gave us encouragement so that we could make our great leader Kim Jong-il very proud.

"Of course Brazil are a strong team, they are a perennial favourite. But we have a strong mentality and that is why I think we will prevail."